North Dakota Man Charged With Aggravated Sexual Abuse Of A Minor And Abusive Sexual Contact Of A Minor

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Fort Yates, North Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury.

Cecil White Bull, age 40, was indicted on July 17, 2013, on two counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor and two counts of Abusive Sexual Contact of a Minor.  White Bull appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge William D. Gerdes on July 25, 2013, and pled not guilty to the Indictment. 

The maximum penalty upon conviction of the sexual abuse charges is a mandatory minimum of 30 years up to life imprisonment.  The maximum penalty upon conviction of the sexual contact charges is any term of years up to life imprisonment.  All counts include a $250,000 fine, 5 years up to life of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered. 

The charges are merely accusations, and White Bull is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley is prosecuting the case.    White Bull was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.  A trial date has not been set.